Blues take derby honours and knock out EP from RUR Cup

After a tight and cagey first half, Blues kept their heads and eventually got the better of their opponents to set up a trip to Sidley in the third round.

EP had battled well in the first half and Colin Moss had a fine first game back, after being thrown into defence when Matt Windsor was injured in the warm-up, while they were forced into three more changes in the second half.

The first goal was always going to be crucial, and Rustington got it on 55 minutes, as Ricky Robertshaw ran through, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

Substitute Chris Darwin slotted in the second goal and then rounded off the scoring when he lobbed EP keeper Guy Souch 20 minutes from time.

Blues manager Brett Torode said: “It was a good win and there was a bit of extra spice being a local derby.

“We looked strong at the back and after we edged the first half, once we got the first goal we always looked comfortable and controlled the game.

“It’s a good win and our pace and tempo was too strong for EP in the second half.”

EP assistant boss Andy Preddie said: “It was very windy, but to both teams’ credit they got the ball down and played football, and the first half was even.

“Their first was a sloppy goal to concede and it seemed to go in slow motion as Guy (Souch) couldn’t get to it. Then they hit two on the breakaway, which, to be fair, both looked offside.

“It was disappointing but we need to perform for the whole 90 minutes. We are not scoring at the moment which is worrying. With the injury problems and us not scoring we are looking to bring in a few new players to shore us up.”

EP: Souch; Steele, Moss, Stideford, Sutcliffe; Charman, McLeod, Manning, Bamfield; Hand, Burgess. Subs: Wilson (Steele 85), Leech (Manning 65), Davis (McLeod 75).

RUSTINGTON: McCarthy; Bennett, Neal, Butcher, Green; Bibb, Jones, Clayton, Robertshaw; Adams, Huckett. Subs: Darwin (Robertshaw 60), Boxall (Adams 70), Withers (Clayton 73).

n EP’s Sussex Senior Cup match at Arundel on Tuesday was postponed early in the week due to floodlight failure.